Locations

Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute
Appointment Phone: 410-955-3518

Background

Dr. Susan Bressler is the Julia G. Levy, Ph.D. Professor of Ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute. She is a board-certified ophthalmologist and has subspecialty training in medical retinal disorders, vitreoretinal disease, and retinal surgery. Her main research interest has been collaborative efforts in clinical trials - serving as principal investigator of an image reading center that has served as a central unit for many clinical trials and epidemiologic investigations, as Vice Chair of the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network and as principal investigator of a participating clinical center in several major clinical trials. Most studies have specific emphasis on the treatment of both non-neovascular and neovascular age-related macular degeneration and all aspects of diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Bressler has a large national and international referral practice. In addition, she has published 223 peer reviewed articles and 55 book chapters. Editorial Board positions have included American Journal of Ophthalmology, Survey of Ophthalmology, Retina, EyeNet Magazine, Health After 50: The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter and the Wilmer Retina Update.

Macular Photocoagulation Study Group: Persistent and recurrent neovascularization after krypton laser photocoagulation for neovascular lesions of ocular histoplasmosis. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the MPS Group). Arch Ophthalmol 1989;107:344‑352.

Chamberlin JA, Bressler NM, Bressler SB, et al: The use of fundus photographs and fluorescein angiograms in the identification and treatment of choroidal neovascularization in the Macular Photocoagulation Study. Ophthalmology 1989;1526‑1534.

Macular Photocoagulation Study Group: Argon laser photocoagulation for neovascular maculopathy after five years. Results from randomized clinical trials. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the MPS Group). Arch Ophthalmol 1991;109:1109-1114.

Macular Photocoagulation Study Group: Laser photocoagulation for neovascular lesions nasal to the fovea associated with ocular histoplasmosis or idiopathic causes. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the MPS Group). Arch Ophthalmol 1995;113:56-61.

Macular Photocoagulation Study Group: The influence of treatment coverage on the visual acuity of eyes treated with krypton laser for juxtafoveal choroidal neovascularization. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the MPS Group). Arch Ophthalmol 1995;113:190-194.

Duncan DD, Schneider W, West KJ, Kirkpatrick SJ, West SK, and the Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project Team: The development of personal dosimeters for use in the visible and ultraviolet wavelength regions. (Dr. Bressler is a member of The SEE Project Team). Photochem Photbiol 1995;62:94-100.

West SK, Munoz B, Rubin GS, Schein O, Bandeen-Roche K, Zeger S, German P, Fried L, and the SEE Project Team: Function and vision impairment in a population-based study of older adults. (Dr. Bressler is a member of The SEE Project Team). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:72-82.

Duncan DD, Munoz B, Bandeen-Roche K, West SK, and the Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project Team: Visible and ultraviolet-B ocular-ambient exposure ratios for a general population. (Dr. Bressler is a member of The SEE Project Team). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:5:1003-1011.

West S, Rubin G, Munoz B, Abraham D, Fried LP, and Salisbury Eye Evaluation Project Team: Assessing functional status: Correlation between performance on tasks conducted in a clinic setting and performance on the same task conducted at home. (Dr. Bressler is a member of The SEE Project Team). J Gerontol 1997;52a:4:M209-M217.

Rubin GS, West SK, Munoz B, Bandeen-Roche K, et al., for the SEE Project Team: A comprehensive assessment of visual impairment in an older American population: SEE Study. (Dr. Bressler is a member of The SEE Project Team). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:557-568.

Duncan DD, Munoz B, Bandeen-Roche K, West SK, and Salisbury Eye valuation Project Team: Assessment of ocular exposure to ultraviolet-B for population studies. (Dr. Bressler is a member of The SEE Project Team). Photochem and Photobiol 1997;66[5]:701-709.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Risk factors associated with age-related nuclear and cortical cataract: A case control study in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study. AREDS Report No. 5. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the Editorial Committee for this paper). Ophthalmology 2001;108:1400-1408.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: The AREDS system for classifying age-related macular degeneration from photographs. AREDS Report No. 6. (Dr. S. Bressler was a member of the Writing Committee for this report). Am J Ophthalmol 2001;132:668-681.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose supplementation with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, and zinc for age-related macular degeneration and vision loss. AREDS Report No. 8. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this paper). Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:1417-1436.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of high-dose antioxidant supplementation with vitamins C and E and beta carotene for age-related cataract and vision loss. AREDS Report No. 9. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this paper). Arch Ophthalmol 2001;119:1439-1452.

Verteporfin Roundtable 2000 and 2001 Participants, Treatment of Age-related macular degeneration with Photodynamic therapy (TAP) Study Group Principal Investigators, and Verteporfin in Photodynamic therapy (VIP) Study Group Principal Investigators: Guidelines for using Verteporfin (Visudyne&trade;) in photodynamic therapy to treat choroidal neovascularization due to age-related macular degeneration and other causes. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the Verteporfin Roundtable 2000 and 2001 and a TAP and VIP Principal Investigator). Retina 2002;22:6-18.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: The effect of five-year zinc supplementation on serum zinc, serum cholesterol and hematocrit in persons randomly assigned to treatment group in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: AREDS Report No. 7. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the editorial committee for this paper). J. Nutr. 2002;132:697-702.

Saperstein DA, Rosenfeld PJ, Bressler NM, et al. Photodynamic therapy of subfoveal choroidal neovascularization with verteporfin in the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome: one-year results of an uncontrolled, prospective case series. (Dr. S. Bressler is PI of the Reading Center for this study and a member of the study group). Ophthalmol 2002;109:1499-1505.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Potential public health impact of AREDS Results: AREDS report No. 11. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this paper). Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121:1621-1624.

Japanese Age-Related Macular Degeneration Trial (JAT) Study Group: Japanese Age-related macular degeneration Trial (JAT): One-year results of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin in Japanese patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team for this publication). Am J Ophthalmol 2003;136:1049-1061.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Responsiveness of the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire to Changes in Visual Acuity: Findings in patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization: SST Report No. 1(Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the SST Research Group). Arch Ophthalmol 2003;121: 531 &ndash; 539.

Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Mortality in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study: Associations with ocular disorders and an intervention of high-dose antioxidants and zinc. AREDS Report No. 13. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122;716-726.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Health- and vision-related quality of life among patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration at enrollment in randomized trials of Submacular surgery: SST Report No. 4. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the SST Research Group). Am J Ophthalmol 2004;138:91-108.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Surgical removal versus observation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, either associated with the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome or idiopathic. I. Ophthalmic findings from a randomized clinical trial: Submacular Surgery Trials (SST) Group H Trial. SST Report No. 9. (Dr. S Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Arch Ophthalmol 2004;122:1597-1611.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Surgical removal vs observation for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization, either associated with the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome or idiopathic. II. Quality-of-life findings from a randomized clinical trial: SST Group H Trial: SST Report No. 10. (Dr. S Bressler is a member of the SST Research Group). Arch Ophthalmol, 2004;122:1616-1628.

The Submacular Surgery Trials (SST) Research Group: Surgery for subfoveal choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: Ophthalmic findings: SST Report No. 11. (Dr. S Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Ophthalmol 2004;111:1967-1980.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Impact of antioxidants, zinc, and copper on cognition in the elderly. A randomized, controlled clinical trial. AREDS Report No. 12. (Dr. S Bressler is a member of the AREDS Research Group). Neurology 2004;63:1705-1707.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Responsiveness of the NEI-VFQ to progression to advanced AMD, vision loss, lens opacity, and cataract surgery. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the editorial committee on this paper). AREDS report No. 14. Ophthalmol 2004; 111:2007-2014.

Submacular Surgery Trials (SST) Research Group: Health and vision-related quality of lie among patients with ocular histoplasmosis or idiopathic choroidal neovascularization at time of enrollment in a randomized trial of Submacular surgery. SST Report No. 5. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the SST Research Group.) Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:78-88.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Risk factors for the incidence of advanced age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). AREDS Report No. 19. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the editorial committee on this paper). Ophthalmology 2005;112:533-539.

Visudyne in Minimally Classic CNV (VIM) Study Group: Verteporfin therapy of subfoveal minimally classic choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration: Two-year results of a randomized clinical trial. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this paper). Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:448-457.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Severity Scale for age-related macular degeneration. AREDS Report No. 17. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:1484-1498.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: A simplified severity scale for age-related macular degeneration. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report.) AREDS Report No. 18. Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:1570-1574.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Histopathological and ultrastructural features of surgically-excised subfoveal choroidal neovascular lesions: SST Report No. 7. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Arch Ophthalmol 2005;123:914-921.

Preferential Hyperacuity Perimeter (PHP) Research Group: Preferential hyperacuity perimeter (PreView PHP) for detecting choroidal neovascularization Study. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Ophthalmology 2005;112:1758-1765.

Preferential Hyperacuity Perimeter (PHP) Research Group: Results of a multicenter clinical trial to evaluate the preferential hyperacuity perimeter for detection of age- related macular degeneration. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the PHP Research Group). Retina 2005; 25:296-303.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Effect of order of administration of health-related quality of life interview instruments on responses - Submacular Surgery Trials Report No. 3. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the SST Research Group). Qual Life Res 2005;14:493-500.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Comparison of 2-dimensional reconstructions of surgically-excised choroidal neovascularization with fluorescein angiographic features: SST Report No. 15. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team of this report). Ophthalmology 2006;113:267-279.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group: Centrum use and progression of age-related cataract in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS): A propensity score approach. AREDS Report No 21 (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team for this paper). Ophthalmology 2006;113:1264-1270.

Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial Research Group: The Complications of Age-Related Macular Degeneration Prevention Trial: Laser treatment in patients with bilateral large drusen. (Dr. S. Brssler is a member of the CAPT Research Group). Ophthalmol 2006;113:1974-1986.

Writing Committee for the VIP Study Group Occult With No Classic Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascular Lesions in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Clinically relevant natural history information in larger lesions with good vision from the Verteporfin in photodynamic therapy (VIP) Trial -VIP Report No. 4. (Dr. S. Bressler was a member of the Writing Committee for this report). Arch Ophthalmol 2006;124:660-664.

Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network: Relationship between Optical Coherence tomography-measured Central Retinal Thickness and Visual Acuity in Diabetic Macular Edema. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team for this report). Ophthalmology 2007;114:525-536.

The Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Comparison of methods to identify incident cataract in eyes of patients with neovascular maculopathy: SST Report No. 18. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team for this report). Ophthalmology 2007;115:127-133.

Submacular Surgery Trials Research Group: Incident Choroidal Neovascularization in Fellow Eyes of Patients with Unilateral Subfoveal Choroidal Neovascularization Secondary to Age-Related Macular Degeneration: SST Report No. 20. (Dr. S. Bressler is a member of the writing team for this report). Arch Ophthalmol 2007;125(10):1323-1330.

Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network: Randomized Trial of Peribulbar Triamcinolone Acetonide with and without Focal Photocoagulation for Mild Diabetic Macular Edema: A Pilot Study. (Dr. S Bressler is a co-investigator in the DRCR.net) Ophthalmology 2007 Jun;114(6):1190-6.

Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Writing Committee on behalf of the DRCR.net (Dr. Bressler served as a Vice Chair of the DRCR.net during this project): Rationale for the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network Treatment Protocol for Center-Involved Diabetic Macular Edema. Ophthalmology 2011 Dec; 118 (12): e5-e14.

Sun JK, Qin H, Aiello LP, et al for the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network: Evaluation of Visual Acuity Measurements After Autorefraction vs Manual Refraction in Eyes With and Without Diabetic Macular Edema. (Dr. Bressler served as a Vice Chair of the DRCR.net during this project) Arch Ophthal 2012; 130: 470-479.

Lutein + Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Randomized Clinical Trial. (Dr. Bressler is a Principal Investigator within the AREDS2 Research Group and served on the writing committee for this paper.) JAMA. May 2013; 309(19): 2005-15.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group: Lutein/Zeaxanthin for the Treatment of Age-Related Cataract: AREDS2 Randomized Trial Report No. 4. (Dr. Bressler is Principal Investigator within the AREDS2 Research Group and is a member of the writing committee for this paper). JAMA Ophthalmol. 2013; 131(7):843-50.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group: Methods and reproducibility of grading optimized digital color fundus photographs in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2 Report Number 2). (Dr. Bressler is a member of the writing committee for this paper and Principal Investigator within the AREDS2 Research Group). Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2013;54(7):4548-54.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) Research Group: Secondary Analyses of the Effects of Lutein/Zeaxanthin on Age-Related Macular Degeneration Progression. AREDS2 Report No. 3. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the writing committee for this paper and Principal Investigator within the AREDS2 Research Group). JAMA Ophthal 2014; 132(2): 142-149.

The Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Research Group: Visual Acuity after Cataract Surgery in Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 Report No. 5. (Dr. Bressler is a member of the writing committee for this paper and Principal Investigator within the AREDS2 Research Group). Ophthalmology June 2014:121(6) 1229-1236.

Bhavsar AR, Torres K, Bressler NM, Glassman AR, Jampol LM, Kinyoun JL, for the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network (Dr. Bressler served as Vice Chair of the DRCR.net during this project). One Year Results Evaluation Following Short Term Use of Ranibizumab for Vitreous Hemorrhage Due to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. JAMAOphthalmol. July 2014;132(7):889-890.